PARTS of Southampton resemble crime-ridden ghettos in New York during the 1980s, according to residents.

Marauding teenage gangs up to 20 strong are out to cause trouble in Millbrook, Maybush, Redbridge and other parts of west Southampton, claim some locals.

The stark picture of life in some of the most cash-starved parts of the city was described during a public meeting organised by Southampton City Council, aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities.

Speaking at the sparsely-attended gathering at Holy Family Church Hall in Maybush, one middle-aged Coxford resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Our area is starting to resemble the New York of 15 years ago.

"There are gangs going around, sometimes involving up to 20 at a time, vandalising property and abusing people with no fear of punishment.

"My garden wall was knocked over recently by some bored youths and if I put it back up it will probably get knocked down again. It's out- of-control behaviour.

"People on the continent don't get this sort of anti-social behaviour, so why should we have to put up with it?"

A Maybush resident, who also did not wish to be named, said that shopkeepers were even allowing youngsters to "steal" food items to reduce the chance of being targeted for abuse.

Local councillors and neighbourhood wardens helped swell numbers at last night's meeting, attended by only 13 members of the public.

Sylvia Priestley, 61, from Redbridge Towers, Cuckmere Lane, Redbridge, said: "The courts are far too lenient with youths these days, which just makes them more willing to cause trouble.

"A lot of youngsters come out of Redbridge School at lunchtimes and start playing in the lifts. If the lifts break down a lot of vulnerable people, especially the elderly and disabled, are prisoners in their own homes."

A similar public meeting was held last month at St Coleman's Church Hall in Warburton Road, Thornhill, when a small number of residents spoke of their concerns over a high number of used syringes and needles littering their neighbourhood.

All the feedback collected from both meetings will be considered by a council scrutiny panel, which has launched an inquiry in a bid to tackle the root cause of anti-social behaviour.

The panel, which is made up of councillors from different political parties, will report back with their findings on April 28.